Must-Have Margaritas and More!

April 09, 2009
Jennifer Davick
Try these cool and refreshing cocktails at your next party. 
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Pink Cadillac Margaritas

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Pink Cadillac Margaritas

For summer entertaining, mix up several batches of Pink Cadillac Margaritas 3 to 4 hours before the party starts, and chill in decorative bottles or pitchers, ready to shake and serve when guests arrive.

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Woodshed Margarita

Photo: Jody Horton

Recipe: Woodshed Margarita

This backyard cocktail gets its smoky flavor from cedar-infused tequila.

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Watermelon Margarita Pops

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Watermelon Margarita Pops

You can serve these pops with a side of sea salt for sprinkling on top, but be careful! You'll have to slurp it up before the ice melts.

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Cranberry Margaritas

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Cranberry Margaritas

From the kitchen of Shawnda Horn, Houston, Texas, jasonandshawnda.com

"We love cranberry margaritas because they're beautiful and festive, and are a reminder that margaritas aren't just for summer."

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Watermelon-Mint Margaritas

Southern Living

Recipe: Watermelon-Mint Margaritas

Use leftover watermelon to make this slushy summer drink. Garnish with fresh mint leaves.

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Grapefruit Tequila Fizz

Southern Living

Recipe: Grapefruit Tequila Fizz

You'll want to make a whole batch of this citrusy spritzer. It's perfect for outdoor gatherings and kicking back on the porch.

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Classic Margaritas on the Rocks

Southern Living

Recipe: Classic Margaritas on the Rocks

These are potent, yet amazingly smooth-tasting when you use good-quality tequila and orange liqueur and thoroughly shake the mixture with ice before pouring over ice cubes to serve.

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Hibiscus-Mint Margaritas

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Hibiscus-Mint Margaritas

Flowery hibiscus and cooling mint add a flavorful kick to this margarita.

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Pepper Jelly Margaritas

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Pepper Jelly Margaritas

As the name implies, these unique drinks are mixed with green pepper jelly. Make this Southern-style margarita your signature cocktail at your bowl game party.

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Scarlet Margaritas

Southern Living

Recipe: Scarlet Margaritas

Indulge in taste without adding to your waistline with this 140-calorie margarita! If you haven’t tried pomegranate margaritas, here's a tasty excuse to try the latest trend.

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Strawberry Margarita Spritzers

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Strawberry Margarita Spritzers

Club soda, fresh whole strawberries, and frozen daiquiri mix set these margarita spritzers apart. Serve on sultry summer days and enjoy the fizzy sweetness of these colorful cocktails.

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Pink Lemonade Cocktail

Southern Living

Recipe: Pink Lemonade Cocktail

Easy-to-make, pink, and delightfully festive, our Pink Lemonade Cocktail is sure to be a huge hit at your next girls' night in party. Mix just four ingredients―beer, vodka, pink lemonade concentrate, and ice―for pitchers of fizzy goodness.

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Classic Margarita

Southern Living

Recipe: Classic Margarita

This sweet-and-sour sipper is a no-fail party drink and easily scaleable. Based on the fundamentals of every good margarita―tequila, fresh lime juice, and orange liqueur―this margarita is worthy of 5-star praise. (Make sure to use fresh limes for this one--it’s worth it!)

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Blue Margaritas

Southern Living

Recipe: Blue Margaritas

The coloring in these margaritas comes from blue curaçao orange liqueur so it tastes just like a traditional frozen margarita but with added color. With just four ingredients, this margarita can create an instant party.

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Frozen Sangría

Southern Living

Recipe: Frozen Sangría

If you are planning a party for a large crowd, it’s easy for the cost to get out of hand. Try serving bottled beer and this festive sangria. It makes around 24 servings without breaking the bank. Total cost is about $13.

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Margarita Granita

Southern Living

Recipe: Margarita Granita

Margarita Granita, a frozen creation, is a refreshing addition to any outdoor party. Here's a shortcut for when you're preparing a large batch for a crowd: Use a combination of fresh juice, grated lime ride, and bottled key lime juice (usually found on the juice aisle in your grocery store). The grated lime rind plus a squeeze or two of fresh citrus in each drink keeps the flavors fresh.

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Sangría Blanco

Southern Living

Recipe: Sangría Blanco

If it’s really hot outside, reach for the light refreshing white sangría. This simple variation substitutes Sauvignon Blanc or Chablis in place of red wine.

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Tequila Mojitos

Southern Living

Recipe: Tequila Mojitos

Looking for something different to serve? Try a new twist on this Cuban-inspired cocktail. Adding lemon-lime soft drink and mint (of course!) transforms this mojito recipe into a fizzy cocktail.

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Sangría

Southern Living

Recipe: Sangría

Full-bodied red sangria is the perfect complement to the spicy flavors of Mexican food. It’s also less filling than frozen drink, so a good choice for hearty enchilada fare. When shopping for the red wine, we recommend choosing a Merlot.

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Beer 'Garitas

Southern Living

Recipe: Beer 'Garitas

Mixing beer with a classic margarita recipe makes the drink taste less tart than regular margaritas. We can promise that these will be a hit, so make them by the pitcher to keep your party going.

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